The Confederation Era Challenges of a New Nation

Weaknesses of the Articles Since the national government could not tax, and the national money was worthless, debt became a huge problem. Debt = owing money The biggest problem was that the soldiers who had fought the war, had not been paid, and they were mad. Most of the soldiers were farmers, and they were unable to pay their debts.

Foreign Affairs Britain –The Great Lakes disputed –Tariffs on imports and exports Consumer costs rose U.S. Economy suffers Spain –Close the lower Mississippi River to U.S. Shipping

Domestic Problems Impacts of Closed Markets –U.S. could no longer export goods to Britain or West Indies Economic Problems –Define these terms… Interstate Commerce Inflation Depression

What is happening in the following picture? You are going to be looking at a picture in a few seconds? See if you can figure out what is going on in the picture. Look at the picture closely. Describe the people, objects, where the event is happening, and what is happening. (Who, what, where, and objects)

Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt. In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place. The revolt was led by Daniel Shays. Shays’ Rebellion

Daniel Shays Former Continental army captain Demanded more paper money, tax relief, relief for debtors and an end to imprisonment for debt During 1786 the “Shaysites” traveled around preventing the collection of debts

The farmers began to forcibly prevent the courts from meeting so they couldn’t take anyone else’s land away or put them in jail. Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated. Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed. Results of Shays’ Rebellion